Minutes ago, a Florida Judge denied Congressman Allen West’s (R-Nutcase) petition to force a recount in the recent election. He is currently behind in Florida’s ForeverElection by 2,456 votes, or about 0.8% of the total, which is above the 0.5% threshold for a state-paid recount.

I first learned this from @KeithOlbermann twitter feed. With 100% of the vote counted in the FL-18, Patrick Murphy has 160,328 and West has 157,872.

I know some of you are citing this as proof that Petraeus has been a Republican the whole time. Not so. Plenty of Democrats have had extramarital affairs. The tell that he was a Republican would be if it involved diapers, physical abuse, or one or more airport mens rooms.

UPDATE: Yes, we are aware that the database is shitting itself. It seems that Akismet (the anti-spam filter) has decided to smoke a joint and do some jello shots off Anne Coulter’s backside and now it’s just sitting in the corner slowly waving its hand back and forth and muttering about ‘trails.’ I’m certain that one of the other mods who actually understands and has access to Akismet is or will soon be working on it. Please have patience. Thanks.

@c u n d gulag: The only reason he avoided Court-Martial is because that division, which was engaged in active combat operations, would have had to remove so many brigade and battalion commanders from the fight to serve on the panel that it would have been combat ineffective within hours.
I’m not saying that I think it was a good decision by the Division Commander, who was the General Court-Martial Convening Authority, but it was probably the best available at the time.

I blame the United States Army for this idiot asshole! They should have court-martialed him and sent him to the brig instead of letting him resign so he could torture the American people with his bullshit. Fuck U, allen west and the motorcycle you rode in on.

@Zapruder F. Mashtots, D.D.S. (Mumphrey, et al.): No problemo! That is funniest shit. And really, announcing on Facebook your much mourned (in your mind) departure because of the election? Seriously, I would find a way to friend that asshole(fake ayrian sounding name) just so that I can tell him to go fuck himself five ways to Friday and buh bye!!

I know somebody linked to this yesterday on the front page, but it’s so great I couldn’t help but link it again. I especially like the part where he writes this:

When I’m at the Wal-mart or grocery story I typically pay with my debit card. On the pad it comes up, “EBT, Debit, Credit, Cash.” I make it a point to say loudly to the check-out clerk, “EBT, what is that for?” She inevitably says, “it’s government assistance.” I respond, “Oh, you mean welfare? Great. I work for a living. I’m paying for my food with my own hard-earned dollars. And other people get their food for free.” And I look around with disgust, making sure others in line have heard me.

Doesn’t this guy seem like the kind of guy you’d just have to have at your party to make it a success? Seriously, I wonder what his wife or girlfriend–or more likely his mother–think when they’re with him out shopping. I’d want to fall through the floor if I were in line behind him and anybody even thought I knew him.

@pacem appellant: He tortured a detainee for information by first threatening to shoot him, and then discharging his side arm right next to the guy’s head, causing his ear drum to rupture.
There were multiple witnesses, and he admitted to the act.
It turns out the guy wasn’t a member of the Ba’ath party or any resistance or insurgent movement.

@ranchandsyrup: I used a search engine of choice even though I should be working and for the benefit of other folks who may have missed that bit of crazy from soon-to-be former representative West, the short of it is: he admitted to torture that is in clear contravention of Geneva Conventions. Guns. Beatings. Shots fired at a suspect’s head. Bad, mean stuff.

@burnspbesq: Well, there’s also the aspect of getting rid of the shit as quickly as possible when there’s reporters running around.
I’m not saying that it was the right call. I think he should have been transferred stateside back to Fort Carson where the unit was from and then been court-martialed by the rear detachment, but I also don’t know exactly what the situation was with 4ID and Fort Carson was at the time. I’m certain that the rear det was pretty busy themselves.

The G00pers screaming about “stolen elections” is truly beyond projection, and far closer to 30 metric tons of Grade A bullshit. West will no doubt soon be be moaning about Charlie Crist and Obama “keeping him down” or something.

@You Know Who: I have no problem pushing you fuckers off a cliff. Let the tax cuts expire and the defense cuts kick in, and we’ll see how much of a different tune you’re singing then. You idiots have a LOT more to lose than our side does. Our chief negotiator isn’t up for re-election in two years’ time.

I’m fine with the tax cuts expiring. And in January, the Senate can pass legislation, proposed by our President, for middle class tax cuts. All this after Harry Reid has reformed the filibuster. And then you and your treasonous buddies in the House can explain to the American people how you are willing to crash the economy and stop tax cuts for the 99% all so Shelly Adelson and Donald Trump can get a tax break.

I see a bright future for you as a copy writer for one of our fine broadcast news networks: “Allen West was defeated today by Patrick West, although it was hardly much of a victory for Democrats, who say they are discouraged with Murphy’s victory margin. “.8 percent against one of the most heavily financed Republican candidates in the country is “disappointing”, said a senior Florida Democratic official. “It shows the weakness of the Democratic Party in the state of Florida. “To stay in office, Murphy will have to tack to the right and vote with Boner and Kantor on most issues. You might say it was kind of an accident that he won,” said the source. “This is a conservative state, and Allen was very popular in his district. Had he run a more insanely conservative campaign, he would certainly have won.” (30)

Works for me. I loves me some fiscal cliff. You want deficit reduction? We’ll give you all the fucking deficit reduction you ever dreamed of. And if the Air Force has to hold a bake sale, well, that what your party gets for being a bunch of intransigent morons that can’t read a set of election results.

Also too, for whatever it’s worth, nationwide more people voted for Democratic candidates for the House than voted for Republican candidates. The only reason that we couldn’t take back the house is the awesome job of gerrymandering done by Republican-controlled state legislatures.

Apparently Allen Waste West filed for injunctive “relief” in two Florida courts over the election results: the first one told him to scram, the other is still pending (but will most likely confirm the first judge’s ruling), so I’m guessing West is just posturing for the cameras prepping for his talk-radio gig or whatever.

Though I would imagine what he’d really like to do is show up in Washington on Jan. 3 when Congress reconvenes, barge onto the floor of the House (probably in camo battledress and carrying a sidearm) and demand “his” seat back as a “point of order”…

@Soonergrunt: Sorry. I missed your explanation the first time thru or I wouldn’t have ranted about the U.S. Army earlier. So I will absolve them from blame, ’cause your explanation sounds reasonable. However, I still think West is an asshole and think the people who allowed this idiot loose in Congress should have their citizenship revoked.

@schrodinger’s cat: Because he’s an ineffective, if annoying little shit, and he hasn’t done anything that reaches John’s standard for banning.
And honestly, it’s John’s house anyway. As long as he tolerates the little shitstain, then he gets to stay.

@You Know Who: Just mint a trillion dollar coin or two out of platinum and the debt ceiling problem disappears. If it comes to another debt ceiling crisis, Obama has many options he didn’t use last time. Oh, and your wingnut tears are delicious.

Oh FFS (my name for the troll of a thousand nyms) don’t ever change. One question though, you are the guy who ate boogers in front of my 5th grade class aren’t you? (true, if tragic, story there actually…)

@ranchandsyrup: Only the Reagan Administration gets to negotiate with terrorists. It is in the Constitution, black and white, after the 2nd Amendment so Republicans may not, can not, will not work with United States Government because they took an oath.

And if the Air Force has to hold a bake sale, well, that what your party gets for being a bunch of intransigent morons that can’t read a set of election results.

Apparently, Boeing is announcing layoffs in the defense part of the company. I got that from a wingnut who’s been absolutely screaming herself hoarse since election night (no, I absolutely will NOT unfriend her: it’s just too much fun to watch!) who added “IF YOU THINK UNEMPLOYMENT’S BAD NOW YOU JUST WAIT!!!!”

Gee, I guess government does create jobs after all.

If you think unemployment’s bad now, imagine what it would’ve looked like if we’d given the people who wanted to “drown it in a bathtub” a free rein –

Sometimes, your computer operating system just gets too messed up and none of the cleanup programs can really restore the performance of your machine. So you save what personal data you can on a backup drive and do a clean re-install of the OS. That’s how I’ve started to think about the so-called “fiscal cliff”: a clean re-install of the legislative process to its pristine pre-Bush state. We can then work on restoring some tax cuts or whatever without the Republican hostage-taking.

@You Know Who:
say you were wrong before.
Come on, say it.
Say “Every one of my stupid predictions was wrong and I was a moran for believing them”
You know its true so come on say it!
Apologize for coming into this nice place and dropping load after load of stinky mindless shit.
Say you are sorry for being such an asshole.

Then, if you behave yourself & don’t start shitting on the rug again maybe we will play with you again.

@Bill in Section 147: My wife would not allow me to dress as the Wingnut Bill of Rights for Halloween. Was going to cross out everything but 1st, 2nd and 10th. My argument was that if I didn’t get punched dressing up as “hunter” Dick Cheney in a military town, I could prolly make it through anything. So I wore a banana costume.
Thanks for the laugh, Bill.

@Jim C: What did it? The thought of all the back-hair? Having to stare at the Regan and Ayn Rand (“bookends” tattoos – one per cheek natch)? or possibly thinking of the reptilian-like scaly tail tipping over the salvation shotglass of 151 and cyanide that would soon bring sweet release – now all gone down that vile fetid asscrack?

You and I may have to agree to disagree on this point. AFAIC, the statute of limitation on pushing The Bell Curve at TNR ran out a while ago. And he’s far from the only smart person who missed the call on Iraq.

He’s going to be on Bill Maher’s show tonight. Personally, I’m looking forward to Maher making the point that his lousy million $s was better spent than the hundreds of million $s that Shelly Adelson and the Koch brothers threw down the drain. And Sully will be giddy, I’m sure. Sully will be joined by James Carville, SE (Sippy) Cupp, and Samuel L. Jackson. Bill will also interview Mason Tvert, who founded an organization called SAFER, which advocates for legal marijuana on the grounds that pot is safer than alcohol, a fact for which I can vouch.

Should be a good show. The only “conservative” would be young Sippy, who is really a glibertarian atheist who isn’t bright enough to really understand what either of those things mean.

you remember that the next time he fully supports the wingnut meme for weeks while it matters & then comes back 6 months too late to admit he was wrong. After the damage is done. Its not like those are the only times he has pulled this stunt.

He appears to be proof that an English accent is all that is needed to be considered an intellectual in the US

@Zapruder F. Mashtots, D.D.S. (Mumphrey, et al.): Doesn’t this guy seem like the kind of guy you’d just have to have at your party to make it a success? Seriously, I wonder what his wife or girlfriend—or more likely his mother—think when they’re with him out shopping.

If you’re like a certain friend of mine who likes loud ideological fights to break out as his parties, yes. And his loved ones don’t go shopping with him any more, dearie.

And plenty of people on EBT do work for a living. They even pay taxes. Shocking, I know.

There isn’t going to be any deal or “grand bargain” with Obambi.
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None. Got it?
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Either give us ALL the Bush tax cuts, made permanent, or it’s over the cliff we go!
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JUST SAY NO DEAL—that’s our new motto. No deals. No legislation. NOTHING.

None of the rest of us could have said it better ourselves. Anyone who thinks the House Republicans are going to respond to the election by doing anything but doubling down on the batshit-insanity and the overt extortion is in for a rude awakening.

Works for me. I loves me some fiscal cliff. You want deficit reduction? We’ll give you all the fucking deficit reduction you ever dreamed of. And if the Air Force has to hold a bake sale, well, that what your party gets for being a bunch of intransigent morons that can’t read a set of election results.

@burnspbesq: From what I understand, the increase in revenue – immediate because of the tax cuts expiring – combined with the cuts in defense make the debt ceiling irrelevant, because between more money coming in and less money going out, it can’t be hit.

The Repubs truly got fucked into a corner on this one. Didn’t think it through. It may well mean the loss of my job, as I’m a government contractor, but I can go back to the private sector easily within weeks. IT security is needed everywhere.

Once the Repubs realize that all Dems have to do is sit on their hands, do nothing, and get everything they want, the tune will change in a hurry. I expect begging, quite frankly. In the red states those DoD jobs are the only good-paying jobs they have. And I could give a shit if they lose them all.

I’ve said this before, but I will never understand the whole musical chairs crap between CIA, State and DOD top ranks.

Pick a career soldier to run DOD, a career diplomat to run State and a career spook to run the CIA (or ODNI, these days, I suppose). Yeah, surround them with people who know Congress and media and politics and all that “official Washington” crap, but pick people who intimately know what their departments need for the top spot. Why does that seem so inconceivable?

@burnspbesq: You and I may have to agree to disagree on this point. AFAIC, the statute of limitation on pushing The Bell Curve at TNR ran out a while ago. And he’s far from the only smart person who missed the call on Iraq.

Did he apologize? Did he repudiate his racism? No?

Sorry, I only take complete and abject apologies (a la George Wallace) for that. There’s no statute of limitations on shilling mendacious racist propaganda.

@ding dong: There’s a lot of good, meaty food for thought in this thread… but my brain still seems to be stuck on “I kind of feel bad for mitch mcconnell” because those words, in that order, never occurred to me before.

@BGinCHI: Why doesn’t Obama combine the Treasury and Commerce Departments and make Krugman secretary of both? There, I just reduced the deficit, made government smaller, and freed up a job at Princeton.

It was totally ignored here, but last weekend the new president of the Federal Government of Somalia, Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, named his cabinet. The federal government doesn’t control all of the country yet. Puntland and Somaliland in the north are autonomous, although not recognized by any other country. I don’t think Somalia is going to be appropriate as a metaphor much longer.

@Zapruder F. Mashtots, D.D.S. (Mumphrey, et al.): Reminds me of a relative of mine. He isn’t even particularly political, just an ass. What his mother does is slap him upside the head and tell him not to be an ass when he gets started. Wife? Girlfriend? Ha! I understand from his siblings that his social life consists of hoping women in the bars he frequents get drunk enough to not remember why they hate him.

The Lakeshore Ethnic Diversity Alliance in Ottawa County says the lawn chairs are racially insensitive as they are hoisted from a rope, invoking implications of a lynching. The alliance, which urged the Davids to take them down, held a “community conversation” public meeting on Oct. 4 where community members discussed the display and its interpreted implications.
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“That person there is the racist,” Ken David said of those responsible for nailing the branded chair on his property. “I never was a racist and I never intended to be a racist. The only thing I’m for is liberty and freedom.”

It was totally ignored here, but last weekend the new president of the Federal Government of Somalia, Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, named his cabinet. The federal government doesn’t control all of the country yet. Puntland and Somaliland in the north are autonomous, although not recognized by any other country. I don’t think Somalia is going to be appropriate as a metaphor much longer.

@Origuy: It’s not appropriate at all. I went there last year. Puntland’s been stable and self-governing for fifteen years now. Actual Somalia – the part controlled by the FGS – has been stable for a couple of years now. The shitheads are still warlording, clitchopping and burkaing it up in the south, but they’re hemmed in on all sides and the African Union troops seem to enjoy slaughtering them, so that’s not going to be an issue much longer.

I wish people would stop bashing on Somalia as a “libertarian’s paradise” or as a great place to send the wingnuts. They’re nice people, like most folks everywhere, who’ve been through an awful time for more than twenty years and they deserve sympathy and help, not to be the butt of our jokes and snark. And they sure as shit don’t deserve our homegrown terrorists and dumbfucks.

I might add that nothing beats going someplace to get cured of your prejudices.

WAIT! You may be on to something here! How about, as a sign of reconciliation, Obama names Boy Blunder commissioner of baseball? Its a job the doofus wanted, one he is totally unqualified for and it would be hard to imagine him making a bigger mess of MLB than the current group of buffoons. Plus it would return that tingle to tweety cuz its all bipartisany

It seems that Akismet (the anti-spam filter) has decided to smoke a joint and do some jello shots off Anne Coulter’s backside and now it’s just sitting in the corner slowly waving its hand back and forth and muttering about ‘trails.’

Oh dear sweet Jesus…it’s going to take major tequila to get that image out of my head. It took a truly twisted mind to come up with that metaphor. Thanks, Soonergrunt; I’m going to see if I can arrange to have Rush Limbaugh visit your house dressed as Santa Claus.

JUST SAY NO DEAL—that’s our new motto. No deals. No legislation. NOTHING.

Oh. You again. Sheesh.

There’s just something about you where I can totally see you enthusiastically gargling a mouthful of my piss while begging me to wipe a two-fingers wide stripe of my shit under your nose. I know you’ll love it when I make you call me ‘Daddy’.

Allen West embodies what is great about the country. He speaks with passion and acts when others do nothing. It’s really disheartening to see others on the other side attacking him for no reason other than his love for the country. Liberals preach tolerance, but at the end of the day its tolerance on their terms, you ate heartless and stupid if you don’t believe what a liberal believes. Whether or not West wins he will continue to fight for this country and all who live here.